What are the side effects of smoking? Ten significant losses that you must take seriously!
22.3% of the world’s population (7.36% of men and 8.7% of women) use tobacco. Also, more than eight million people die every year due to the use of tobacco, of which 1.3 million people are not smokers but are exposed to other people’s cigarette smoke. Since the reminder of the side effects of smoking may encourage some people to give it up, we have dedicated this article from Darmankadeh magazine to this issue. Stay with us until the end of this article.
Complications of smoking in men and women
The following are the most crucial side effects related to smoking:
- cancer
- Respiratory diseases in the complications of smoking
- Heart, vascular, and brain diseases
- diabetes
- Weakening of the immune system
- Oral and dental diseases
- Infertility problems due to the effects of smoking
- Osteoporosis
- vision problems
- Hearing problems
In the following article, we will explain all ten items in full…
1. cancer
Cigarette smoke and its toxins affect the immune system and other body organs, from the mouth and nose to vital organs such as the liver, kidney, etc., and increase the risk of various types of cancer. If you quit smoking after 10 to 20 years, your chances of developing most cancers will decrease. However, you may still be at a higher risk than those who have never smoked.
2. Respiratory diseases in the complications of smoking
Doctors and experts consider smoking to be the most important cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disease is progressive and seriously threatens the health of the lungs. Smoking also increases the risk of lung cancer and aggravates respiratory diseases, including asthma. Also, according to research, its use is associated with an increased risk of some infections, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.
3. Heart, vascular, and brain diseases
Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots, which can interfere with blood supply to the heart and brain. For this reason, smokers are more likely to suffer from heart disease and brain problems. Even secondhand smoke can contribute to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
4. diabetes
The probability of type 2 diabetes in smokers is 30-40% higher than in non-smokers. Smoking affects the hormone insulin and makes you susceptible to insulin resistance. In addition, it can aggravate the complications of diabetes.
5. Weakening of the immune system
People who are used to smoking, including cigarettes, hookah, etc., suffer from viral and bacterial infections more than other people because the toxins from these substances weaken the body’s immune system.
6. Oral and dental diseases
In smokers, tooth loss and tooth sensitivity are prevalent diseases. Also, these people usually suffer from gum diseases because smoking causes inflammation of the tissue around the teeth and increases the risk of bacterial infections.
7. Infertility problems due to the effects of smoking
Smoking reduces the level of sex hormones in men and women, suppresses libido, hurts sperm quality, and causes erectile dysfunction. Other side effects of smoking in women include early menopause, premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.
8. Osteoporosis
Smoking hurts bone health and reduces bone density. Research on the effects of smoking shows that women who smoke are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than non-smokers.
9. vision problems
Smoking affects the optic nerve and increases the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
10. Hearing problems
Toxins caused by smoking affect blood circulation in different parts of the body, including the inner ear. Because of this, smokers may suffer from hearing problems.
Complications of smoking in children and adolescents
Much research has been done on the effects of smoking during pregnancy. The results of various studies on the impact of smoking on the fetus show that this product hurts the development of the lungs.
On the other hand, it has been found that secondhand smoke can increase the risk of certain diseases and medical problems in children. These problems include coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, and decreased lung function. In addition, adolescents who smoke have smaller and weaker lungs compared to non-smokers.
A final word about the side effects of smoking
Experts have linked smoking to lung cancer since at least the 1950s. In recent years, it has been found that smoking affects the whole body and increases the risk of many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. So, quitting is a big step you can take to live a longer, healthier life.